Wanting What We Can't Have

 I want it!

And why not? We live in a land of plenty (stop complaining), so shouldn't we be able to have anything that we want? Even things we don't want should be available to us. Now that we all agree, let's move on.......

Isn't this one of the best looking Audi's you've seen recently? What is it? For China, Audi designers took the A7, that maybe too big fastback and gave it a trunk. Also note the un-Audi like way the body curves up as it blends into the C pillar. Beautiful design. You want it? Move to China, as this one isn't coming here anytime soon. I want it!

Love a Mercedes C or E Class, but need some extra room? Don't have the coin to move up to the mogul's, oligarch's and dictator's ride, the S Class? Again, you're going to have to move to the Forbidden Kingdom......

Both the C and E Class come in an L model with more back seat room. You know how those folks like to be chauffeur driven. You didn't? Well now you do and that is exactly why these two models exist, but only over there.

What's next? Who among you has any idea what this is........

 Everyone give up, just like Lincoln has given up on sedans in it's homeland? Not so in China, as this new Lincoln Zephyr Reflection shows. Just unveiled and it's stunning. Want it? Then move, Bucko, as it ain't coming to your local North American dealer this year and probably never. Even with my bad knees, which making sedans a tough prospect, I want it!

The Ford Evos........

What is it? How about a high end suv with that coupe like profile that has become so popular. Mixed messages about it coming to North America or Europe, but it seems unlikely. It will be a hybrid. Unveiled last week at the Shanghai Auto Show, it apparently will be a treat for buyers in China, at least (cross your fingers) for now. I want it!

And now for something completely different (sort of)........

This fabulous interior comes from a humdrum suv that Ford only sells in China. They can keep that suv, but pleeeease put this gorgeous interior into something they sell over here. I want it!

Time to move?

Yep, I feel your pain, so let's shed a tear for all these beautiful rides that won't see the light of day on our continent, but move? Not in this life.

Until next time........

Family Hauler Time

For anyone of my age, when one thinks about the good ol' family hauler, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a minivan. Ok, I get it, but go back a little further. Back to a time long ago, when the family hauler was a station wagon, like this behemoth below........

Like the long extinct dinos, these things roamed our neighbourhoods and were as common as the now ubiquitous suv. These days, call something a station wagon and you've destined it to being nailed to the showroom floor. Ain't no one ponying up hard earned coin for a friggin' station wagon around these parts. 

Long gone? Ancient history? Dead?

Maybe, but that depends on what you call a station wagon. What is this double talk I speak of? Ok, folks, let's call them something else and see what happens. 

Years ago Aston Martin started a tradition of making a few wagon copies of their beautiful sports cars.......

Always gorgeous and always called shooting brakes. They probably could have called them chuck wagons and they would have sold. This tradition has continued up to the present day with the Zagato Vanquish Shooting Brake.......

No wood panelling, but definitely a wagon. Don't look for one at your local mall, as only a handful were made. Wonder if Chrysler knocked off a few of their big old wagons, called them shooting brakes, whether they would find a home?

Now cast your thoughts over to Porsche. Their lovely Panamera has had a wagon version for a few years.......

A wagon? Not quite, a Grand Turismo. Yep, that makes all the difference. Love a Porsche? Love to have a 911, but need the room? Play golf and need even more room? Then look no further. 

You're an environmentalist you say? Porsche has you covered.......

Take a Taycan EV, give it the Grand Turismo treatment and viola, you are the envy of your local Green Party candidate and a few other envious tree huggers you pass along the way.

Being one of those oddballs who like wagons, these hot new ones have my eye and heart. Of course, selling my soul still wouldn't give me enough coin to put one in my name. California Dreamin'? I think so. But it makes me happy that the old family hauler is still alive and well, but configured a little differently (and unfortunately vastly more expensive). 

Ah progress.

Until next time......

EV Dreamin'

 If you look at the pic below and start drooling, while gushing over the stunning lines, then you'd better move on to another blog.........

Recognize this frumpy old Hyundai from the mid 2000's? A mere 15 years has gone by this since blandly styled car was the norm for Hyundai and also it's sister brand, Kia. Times have changed and both of these South Korean companies are now known for their exciting styling and quality products. If you don't believe me, time to enroll in an updating course at your local college.

Nowadays everyone is talking EVs. Every week another new and near future EV is unveiled to enthusiastic response from everyone waiting for some Tesla competition and maybe a price they can afford. Well, not sure about the latter, but more about that later.

Hyundai and Kia have just unveiled their upcoming debutantes for the EV ball....... 

Kia EV6

Hyundai Ioniq5

Not a bad line on either of these beauties, but did anyone doubt that when these companies got serious about an EV, that they would be attention grabbing?

Ioniq5

EV6

Interiors that match their outsides in being up to date and showing the quality that has been these companies' recent hallmarks. The Hyundai looks more futuristic, while the Kia has a more traditional feel. Hey, we all love choices.

Pricing? Good question. These two will hit Europe first and the Ioniq5 is already being shipped to dealers. The EV6 should follow a short time later. A year from now both should be able to rip $ from our bank accounts. Expect them to be around $60-$70k Canadian, but that's only a guess based on European prices. 

Looking for a four door Ferrari? Maybe an electric Stinger?

Kia has your number. This GT version is bragging about 577 HP, so hit the loud pedal (in this case the silent one) and hang on. Being an EV, those acceleration numbers will be as stunning as this EV's looks.

Just think, an entire blog about Hyundai and Kia without a mention or even a thought about the original Hyundai, a rolling piece of junk, that we all remember as the Pony. How things can change over what have been a relatively few years.

Time to end this blog with a time worn cliche...... the future is now!

Until next time.......